From friends playing in the park to countries competing against one another at the Olympics, games unite us all.

Girl Scout Cadette Troop 40035 of Metairie is hosting a workshop for the Cadette Field Day badge on Saturday, December 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at McFadden Cabin in New Orleans City Park. Cost is $5 per Cadette and includes a t-shirt. Bring a bag lunch and refillable water bottle. Limited to 50 girls. For more information, contact leader Karen Dawson at gsletroop35@gmail.com.

Kids Day at LSU Volleyball vs Texas Match, Oct. 5

Join the fun at a pre-match kids zone with inflatables and facepainting at Kids Day, Saturday, Oct. 5 at LSU's Maravich Center. Free Admission, and all kids will have the opportunity to serve a ball over the net following the LSU-Texas Volleyball match.

Camp Marydale Equestrian Center T-shirts available

Camp Marydale Equestrian Center T-shirts are now available upon check-in at camp! They cost $12 and sizes are YS,YM,YL,AS,AM,AL, AXL,AXXL. You must purchase them at camp, not as part of program or camp registration.

It's Girl Scout Recruitment Week!

First Lady Michelle Obama supports Girl Scouts

First Lady Michelle Obama discusses the important role played by Girl Scout volunteers in a new video released Sunday by Girl Scouts of the USA, for which she serves as Honorary National President. Every First Lady of the United States has served in this post since 1917, when First Lady Edith B. Wilson became the first Honorary National President. Mrs. Obama's video coincides with the launch of the organization's new national campaign, "I Can't Wait to be a Girl Scout," to increase recruitment of girl members and adult volunteers while highlighting the fun, excitement, and anticipation that are part of the Girl Scout experience.

Please share the video on your social media pages, so we can get more volunteers and girls involved in Girl Scouting!

The New Membership Year begins October 1

The Girl Scout Membership year runs from October 1 - September 30, so if you are a returning troop who has not yet re-registered, it is important you register ASAP!

The annual membership fee increased to $15 for the 2013-2014 membership year. This $3 increase, determined at the 2011 National Council Session, is the first increase in four years. The $15 Girl Scout membership fee is sent directly to the Girl Scout national headquarters in New York to cover the cost of insurance, program development, and other services of the national organization. This money is not retained by our council. No part of your registration helps pay for the direct service your daughter receives.

The Fall Product Sale is October 4 - 27

The council's Fall Product Sale of nuts, candies, magazines, and address booklets begins October 4, with a theme of Be Your Best You! This is a friends and family sale, with nuts and candy $5-$8 each, and the troop making $1 for every food item sold and 10% of the price of each magazine sold - 15% for online sales. Orders are prepaid so the troop receives the proceeds immediately. The products will be delivered by the girls Nov. 13-16.

Be sure to register for Juliette's Club, the Council Shops' new Loyalty Program. The Council Shops will be celebrating founder Juliette's birthday with a one day sale on October 31 for Juliette's Club Members (15% off entire purchase in-store and online) Online Code: Daisy

With your free membership, you will receive 1 pearl (point) per dollar spent in the shop, exclusive savings in store and any time you shop online at shop.gsle.org, and much more. Just for signing up, you will receive 50 pearls and 100 bonus pearls for completing your profile and signing up for the e-newsletter. At 100 pearls, you will receive 10% off your next purchase!

Love horses? Check out these Horseback riding opportunities

October 2 is the deadline for the Horseback Rider Weekend on October 18 - 20. Join the fun as the group travels to the Angola Rodeo, then enjoys overnight trail rides, and cookouts.

The Horse Lover Weekend (for girls grades 7-9, Nov. 22-24) and Hoof Pick Horse Camp (for girls grades 4-6, Nov. 24-26) are approaching - over the Thanksgiving holiday! Registration for these events opens October 23, and these camps fill up quickly. Adults and campers welcome. Campers do not need an adult or other campers to attend these weekends!

The Annual Family Giving Campaign is underway!

Did you know that none of your $15 membership fee remains with the council locally? The Annual Family Giving Campaign is your opportunity to make a financial contribution directly benefiting our girls. This council-wide request for financial contributions from family and friends, helps to underwrite the cost of providing the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to every girl member of our council (it costs us $227 per girl).

This year's Annual Family Giving Campaign goal is nearly $53,000 and to reach this goal, we are encouraging each service unit to hold a fundraising event. At S.U. meetings, discuss what type of event your girls would enjoy and contact Hillary Christiansen (at hchristiansen@gsle.org or 504-355-5875) to further brainstorm your ideas or if you have any questions regarding the Annual Family Giving Campaign.

Service Unit Incentives

If your service unit makes its goal by May 15, 2014 the service unit will receiveEITHERa freeService Unit Encampment*at any of our Camp Properties during the 2015 membership yearOR a Service Unit Pizza party. Your Unit will also berecognizedat the Annual Meeting, in our Council's publications, as well as meet fund development criteria of the President's Award. *Camp Fees will be waived. All other fees apply, i.e. activity and facilitator fees, food, etc.

Individual Donations

Every Dollar Donated Helps. All donations over $10 will receive a recognition letter for tax purposes and donations over $50 will be recognized on our website. Also, be sure to check with your employer to see if they offer Matching Gifts! To Donate online click here.

Activities/events for October-November

Check out the website calendar to see what October-November events have been planned. Go to the appropriate month and day, and click on the link for details including registration deadlines, grade levels, times, fees, etc.

The newly added Leave No Trace Trainer course assists participants in learning more about minimal impact camping using the seven principles of Leave No Trace (LNT). You will learn the concept of LNT and how to facilitate LNT curriculum in a variety of settings. Once the course is completed, you'll have a certification to teach LNT techniques and ethics to peers, children, friends, family, and communities as a LNT Awareness Workshop Facilitator.